As has become tradition in recent years, the Cobblers pre-season campaign kicked off with a game against Sileby Rangers at Fernie Fields.

Matt Crooks (hamstring) and Dean Bowditch (knee) were unavailable for selection, Crooks not risked as a precaution. Summer signing striker Andy Williams made his first appearance for the club while right-back Aaron Phillips, invited back for pre-season training after missing virtually the entirety of the 2017/18 campaign through injury, was also given a run out as boss Dean Austin opted to field a different eleven in each half.

Former Cobblers striker Courtney Herbert, playing as a centre-back captained Sileby.

Despite some good early possession from the Cobblers there were very few chances for either side before Kevin van Veen curled a 25th minute free-kick just wide. At the other end David Cornell made a smart save, diving to his right to keep out a free-kick from Joyce.

Sam Hoskins curled a free-kick just over the bar as the game approached the hour mark before Morgan Roberts also went close with a free-kick after Aaron Pierre and Leon Barnett both had headers blocked.

Academy graduate Morgan Roberts then broke the deadlock, his header from a Daniel Powell cross going in off the post. Sam Foley added a second late on, heading home powerfully from a delivery from Shay Facey.